Councilman Paul Lopez also offered kudos to the San Diego Chargers — the team that beat the Oakland Raiders on Sunday to give Denver the top spot in the AFC West and ensure the Broncos would be in the playoffs.

The Broncos have lost three games in a row heading into the wild-card playoff game at Sports Authority Field.

Hancock denied his newly grown facial hair that is sculpted in a traditional Van Dyke beard style was due to any pledge not to shave until the Broncos win. One council member quipped that could generate into an embarrassing Rasputin look.

“No, Mary (his wife) loves this,” Hancock said, adding that he had a similar look while on council. “It’s winter time, so I am going to grow it again.”

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Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.